Digitus

Digitus is the Latin technical term for finger or toe. A distinction is made between digitus manus (finger) and digitus pedis (toe). On the foot the toes are numbered from the inside out: the big toe is the hallux (digitus I), the little toe is digitus V.

Structure

Each toe consists of small bones, the phalanges: the big toe has two, the other toes three each. They are connected to each other and to the metatarsal bones by joints.

What do we need our toes for?

• balance: when standing, the toes grip the ground slightly and stabilise us.
• rolling off: when walking we push off the ground via the toes – especially the big toe.
• load distribution: healthy toes relieve the forefoot.

Common toe problems

• hallux valgus and hallux rigidus
• hammer toes and claw toes
• corns on the toe joints and between the toes
• ingrown nails

For pressure points on the toes we help with gentle callus removal and custom-made silicone orthoses.